Have you noticed that everyone is just so darned sure of themselves these days? I thought wisdom was realizing how much we didn’t know – how much mystery is in everything!
“Who Knows?” Tony sings in the song “Something’s coming” from West Side Story. All possibility and hope is in the pregnant present moment. This openness sets the stage for Antonio to fall in love with a Latina immigrant named Maria. Here are a few of the lyrics:
Who knows? It’s only just out of reach
Down the block, on a beach, under a tree
I got a feelin’ there’s a miracle due…
“Ulai” in Hebrew means “maybe, perhaps, perchance” a hopeful word that things can change- that the status quo will not be followed this time. This week’s reading in the Torah is Vayera. In chapter 18 of Genesis, just after Abraham and Sarah are told they will become parents, their parenthood is put to the test-what kind of parents will they be? G8d decides to tell Avraham (Abraham) of the planned destruction of Sedom and Amora (Sodom and Gemora) Avraham Stands, G8d stands – Abraham draws close. “Ulai” – just maybe, he says to the Creative, Loving Power of the Universe, “just maybe there are fifty righteous souls” Would you destroy them with the rest? hashofet kol haArets lo yaaseh mishpat? Will not the judge of all the earth do what’s right?! Is it a challenge?, is it a question? a negotiation? Perhaps all three. This is what Avraham will teach his children – to be concerned with righteousness even for folks you haven’t met yet! This takes empathy, forgiveness and kindness.
G8d responds “for the sake of the fifty in the city” and the “place” would not be destroyed. Ibn Ezra comments on the repetition of “in the city” (betoch ha’ir). Where else could they be? Well, they could try to run from the city to the hills, or to another place if they were righteous, retire to the coast, or perhaps just hidden behind barred doors. What do we do when ICE makes illegal arrests? It’s a scary world out there, and self preservation during these interesting times means surviving them intact.
And the word “ulai” – “just maybe” is repeated five times within seven verses. Whether Avraham is challenging, arguing or probing, ulai is powerful, and G8d just may listen to our voice and hear the calling of our heart. And so may the righteous hiding behind doors. The challenge is to stay in the place.
We can use a bit of humility and hope offered by ulai.
The air is humming and something great is coming, who knows? Sources
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